The Song: The Man Who Sold The World

This is the title track of Bowie’s third album – if you don’t know it, you’ll know the Nirvana cover.

It’s generally thought to be an observation on the nature of split personality disorders, though some (not us) would argue that it’s just a load of nonsensical waffle (it’s not, it’s brilliant. Forgive us, Bowie).

The Movie:

David is a lonely, earnest undertaker who owns and runs his own small-time funeral firm in a quiet, middle-of-nowhere town in 1930s New Mexico.

When he bumps into a man he’s just buried, his life is turned upside down.

The rendez-vous has a huge impact on him – the ‘Man Who Sold The World’ haunts him for weeks, delivering mind-boggling existential monologues to a baffled David (and an even more baffled audience).

David endeavours to seek spiritual enlightenment, saddling up his funeral horse and setting off into the desert, though no matter how far he travels, he never reaches another sign of civilisation.

Eventually, even though he’s been going in a straight line, he ends up back at the site of his own town, which no longer exists (did it ever really?) and is marked only by a road sign and his own horse’s hoof-prints. Don’t expect laughs. 

The Cast:

The Man Who Sold The World stars Sam Rockwell, who is engaging enough that the audience isn’t sick of his face after two hours’ running time.

The ‘Man Who Sold the World’ is played by Ed Harris, who’s got enough gravity to pull off an existential monologue and appear unnerving yet simultaneously comforting and dad-ish. Written, directed and produced by the Coen Brothers.

Sample Dialogue:

David: I thought you died, alone.
TMWSTW: Oh no, not me. I never lost control.

Next: Joe The Lion